In late May 2006, I had four days between jobs. Where better to head than Land’s End in the South West corner of Britain? On Wednesday the 31st of May, I took a bus from Penzance down to Land’s End and then hiked back to Mousehole (pronounced Mawzel). Here are some of the pictures I took. First of all, The End of Britain… Land’s End.
A signpost telling you you are at Land’s End and, for about ten pounds, a guy will take a picture of you underneath it. This is Steve Dale, who was hoping to cycle to John O’Groats in 9 days in aid of Cancer Research. (He made it!) (Update: Steve is currently cycling around the world. Check out Steve’s progress).
Is Land’s End a remote area, with nothing but the crashing waves and granite cliffs to keep you company? Er no. There is a sort of theme park with a wide variety of ways of parting you from your cash.
Sennen Cove. What a beach! And three dudes just waiting until the surf’s up. Not a bad picture taken through the dirty window of a bus.
The picture below shows some amazing granite arches and stacks, less than a kilometre from the theme park – which you can just see in the distance. Even here the number of tourists had dwindled to a trickle.
Here I am, about to start my hike to Mousehole.
A combination of turquoise sea, brilliant sunshine and amazing scenery. What more could a hiker ask for?
Hundred metre cliffs and not roped off so that idiots who go too close are in serious danger of plunging to their deaths. Want to see more of this fantastic coastline?
Talk of the devil, here I am, balancing on a couple of rocks.
Amazingly lush vegetation in what can’t be an easy place to live. Have you read John Betjeman’s ‘Cornish Cliffs’ recently?
Is this England or Barbados?
There are plenty of dolphins and grey seals around the Cornish coast. Alas, while I was there, the dolphins were on holiday but this grey seal was enjoying the sunshine.
The South West coast path is well maintained and well signposted. The only problem I had was a slightly overgrown path for about 1km.
All Cornish beaches are packed with tourists and you can’t move for people selling ice cream and kids crying out for donkey rides.
More spectacular coastline. There were remarkably few people hiking along this stretch of coastline on such a beautiful day.
Kilometre after kilometre of incredible geology.
And a floral feast: Gorse, bird’s foot trefoil, foxgloves, bluebells, sea campion and lots more that I didn’t recognise.
Not a particularly good shot of the Minack Theatre – an amphitheatre cut into the rock. What a superb location for theatrical productions. For more details visit the Minack theatre website.
How can such beautiful beaches be so empty?
Below is a photograph of the beautiful Porthcurno beach and a spectacular headland. 
A speckled wood butterfly. Pararge aegeria. I took about 20 shots to get this one – ah the joys of digital photography!
A view back towards Land’s End showing the rugged Cornish coast.
Looking more like a comical draught excluder than a caterpillar, I noticed this little creature crawling up a rock. He probably succeeds in freaking out animals which may otherwise be tempted to eat him. (The caterpillar, not me)
The coastal path passes through a wide variety of terrain, sometimes along steep headlands, at other times, along pebble beaches – not a boring moment.
This slowworm was sunning himself on the path as I climbed up. Click on the image to see his full length.
The final stretch before turning into Mount’s Bay. I didn’t see another hiker for about two hours.
Through a nature reserve called Kemyel Crease, shortly before Mousehole. The only muddy part of the whole hike.
The hike was a modest 21km from Land’s End to Mousehole. I chose not to hike the last section to Penzance as it is, apparently, all on the road. After such a beautiful day, I didn’t want to ruin it with all those people racing by in steel boxes. This final picture is of the picturesque harbour at Mousehole.
More photos?
Just 28 miles off the coast of Cornwall, the Scilly Isles are well worth seeing.
There are many other beautiful parts of England.
Practical information
The bus number 1 will take you from Penzance to Land’s End for £3.50 single. The journey takes an hour and takes the scenic route.
I stayed at the Halcyon bed and breakfast in Penzance.
For more information on the South West Coastal Path (around 1000km in total!) click here.